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Frequently Asked Intern Questions
Where is Wilderness Inquiry located? I heard it is near
Dinkytown. What is Dinkytown and what is there to do around the
area?
Wilderness Inquiry is in Minneapolis, Minnesota just blocks from
Dinkytown, which is a little self-contained city next to the University
of Minnesota campus. There are a wide variety of shops in Dinkytown,
including restaurants, gift and trinket shops, book stores, coffee
houses, a grocery store, a gas station, a post office, music stores,
bike shops, and bars all within 3-7 blocks of Wilderness Inquiry
and the staff house. There are lots of things happening all the
time in the greater Minneapolis area as well. Downtown, which runs
next to the Mississippi River, is within walking distance and Uptown
is less than a 15 minute drive. There are also several state parks
and great hiking trails within 45 minutes of the city. So much to
explore, so little time.
I know that the majority of interns complete their internships
between May and August, but I need to do mine from July to November,
is this possible?
Our intern schedule is fairly flexible so that we can meet your
needs. Let us know when you would like to do your internship and
we can see what we can offer you. Click on the following for details.
I don’t have experience working with people with
disabilities. Can I still do my internship with Wilderness Inquiry?
Absolutely. Patience, understanding, communication skills, a willingness
to learn and having an open-minded will help you to gain the necessary
skills you will need. No one comes into this field knowing everything
about every disability. You will find that you learn new things
on every trip regardless of your experience level. The trail staff
manual and the staff training in June are great learning tools and
resources. If you are unable to find the answer to a question feel
free to ask your supervisor or another trail staff.
Do I need my own gear for the trips?
You will need basic personal items such as a sleeping bag and clothing.
Most trail staff also have their own PFD (life vest) and a dry bag
for gear. Wilderness Inquiry provides the group gear such as tents,
cooking gear, boats, paddles, etc. For items you need to purchase
we have an arrangement with several outdoor companies, which allows
us to give trail staff and interns a substantial savings on outdoor
gear (pro-deals). We submit orders once or twice a summer. You will
have the opportunity to look through catalogues to choose the items
you would like to purchase. We are excited to offer this great perk.
What is the trail staff training? As an intern can I attend
the training?
The Universal Staff Training is a program we offer to our summer
interns and trail staff. The training is a combination of
hard and soft skills and classroom and field practice. We will work
on things like WI procedures, disability awareness, creating adaptations,
campcraft, paddling skills, boat rescue, van and trailer driving,
and much more. It is a very valuable program in preparing you for
trips. The training is usually the first week in June (the
exact dates will be included in the introduction packet, which you
will receive when you are accepted as an intern).
What will my schedule be like as an intern?
Your schedule will vary and will depend upon Wilderness Inquiry’s
needs. During the summer months your schedule will be based upon
trips while in the fall and winter you will likely have a normal
business week schedule. Interns usually have weekends off
(if not on a trip) and the day after a trip off.
I have a wedding that I need to attend during
the middle of my internship. Will this be ok?
We will ask you for your availability at the beginning of your term.
The sooner you can let us know about your schedule the better the
chance that we can make sure you can get the time you need off,
as long as it is within reason. Keep in touch with your supervisor
as well and make sure that he/she knows what time you have requested
off.
Can I park my car at Wilderness Inquiry?
WI has limited parking available in the summer; therefore, only
full-time administrative staff members are allotted spaces in the
parking lot during the summer. Interns and trail staff may
park on the street or at the Van Cleve Park parking lot under the
15th Street bridge. (Take a left at the corner past WI onto 15th
Street and take another left at the first corner). Be very careful
to park in legal parking spaces only since tickets and towing are
quite common near the University.
Is there be a place that I can park my car while I am
on a trip?
Wilderness Inquiry has an agreement with a local business, which
allows participants and trail staff to park personal vehicles in
their lot while on trips; so you not have to worry about leaving
it on the street.
Is there public transportation that I can get use to get
around town?
Wilderness Inquiry is a few blocks from the University of Minnesota
campus just outside of Dinkytown. The city bus has a popular route
that makes frequent runs near the Wilderness Inquiry building, as
well as near the staff house. Also, there are usually people with
cars around the staff house who make group grocery runs. People
are usually more than willingly to help you out with a ride now
and then if you need one.
Is there a place where I can stay when I am not on trail?
Yes, Wilderness Inquiry is very fortunate to be able to offer trail
staff and interns a comfortable, friendly, and safe house to lay
weary heads between trips and work. The house is just 5 blocks from
Wilderness Inquiry so no need to worry if you do not have transportation.
What is the staff house like?
The staff house, called Martha’s Place, is a communal type
living arrangement within walking distance from Wilderness Inquiry.
The house has two floors, one for female staff/interns and one for
male staff/interns. There are two bedrooms on each floor with bunk
beds and while it is not guaranteed that there will be enough beds
for everyone, it usually works out. The staff house is a great
place to bond with other interns and trail staff and have some fun.
I am a (insert major) and would like to do my internship
with Wilderness Inquiry. Can I? Also, do you have a
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist on staff?
One of the things that make our interns and trail staff such a talented
and strong group of people, are the diverse backgrounds and experiences
that they come from. We welcome all people who are interested in
learning about and experiencing the mission of Wilderness Inquiry.
We work extensively with people with disabilities in finding and
creating adaptations for them, but we do not have a therapeutic
recreation specialist on staff.
Wilderness Inquiry is an equal opportunity employer.
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trail work